TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pemco World Air Services disclosed details of a joint project to convert a number of B737-400 passenger aircraft to Combi configuration with the U.S. Department of the Interior. These aircraft will be operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.

This 737 Combi modification is based on Pemco’s acclaimed 737-400 Combi aircraft design that was built and certified in 2007 and has been operating very successfully in Alaska supplying a critical network in a demanding operating environment.

The NNSA’s Combi is operated by two flight crew members. The Combi configuration is capable of transporting a combination of 4 ½ pallets of freight (forward) and 66 passengers (rear) totaling approximately 40,000 lbs, with a range of over 3,000 miles. The NNSA configuration conforms to the highest standards for safety and versatility ever deployed with the fully FAA-certified Class C cargo compartment with automatic fire detection and halon suppression. In addition, an installed forward and rear-airstair assists in the boarding of passengers.

The first of the NNSA Combi’s inducted into Pemco’s Dothan, Alabama conversion center in May of this year, and is scheduled for delivery and induction into service in the fall. The second B737-400 is scheduled to be inducted in July.

“This Combi conversion program is a substantial commitment from the NNSA. We look forward to working with the NNSA to provide an unparalleled product,” said Pemco CEO Bill Meehan. President Kevin Casey added, "These special mission aircraft will provide the flexibility, performance and safety to meet the NNSA’s needs well into the future. Moreover, it is gratifying to see the US government chose a terrific product, which has the additional benefit of saving US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars compared with new production aircraft with similar characteristics. In today’s world, that just makes sense.”

About Pemco. Pemco specializes in commercial and military airframe heavy maintenance and modification including interior reconfiguration, avionic & IFE upgrades, and major structural and cargo modifications. Pemco has MRO bases in Tampa Florida, Dothan Alabama and Cincinnati Ohio, as well as partner operations in Southeast Asia. Pemco is one of the world’s leading cargo conversion providers with 300+ conversions across 26 models of aircraft. Its new B757-200 Combi and Freighter are the latest additions to Pemco’s cargo platform. Pemco presently has nine conversions in process, with more projects in the making.

About NNSA. Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; works to reduce global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the United States and abroad. Visit www.nnsa.doe.gov for more information.

Contacts